Introduction

Since his origin, the introduction of the man has been the expressive animal. This is so
because the man is the only animal to have the ability of expressing his emotions and feeling s
effectively. It is not that the other animals dont have this ability, they certainly have, as the
experiments have confirmed. For example, wild animals share the feelings of love and sorrow in
different ways as well. Then what makes the human beings different from the rest of them
when it comes to the ways of expression?
The answer is the diverse and unique ways of expression. It is believed that man has
been witnessing the evolution since ever. This is considered true not only for the physical
features and traits but for skills and mental abilities as well. In the beginning, the ways and
means of expression were quite limited. Man used to express his feelings through finger signs.
Then he made use of carvings to express his though. After that, at some later stage of his
evolution, he developed linguistic skills. And then began the journey of literature and the
different forms of expression which came under literature e.g. drama, speech etc. But there was
a parallel journey of evolution of expression as well and that was about expressing the feelings
which didnt concern the communication oriented needs of daily life.
Among such ways of expressions were music, dance etc. Our concern here is to discuss
the music. Like other subjects of the world, music too has been subject to different opinions.
One interesting aspect of the music is that it has been argued since long that the music produces
some effects on the mood, attitude and nature of the human beings and assists in their well
being. Although there have been arguments against this opinion as well.
The importance of music can be assessed from the fact that it is the most
common way of expression these days. Not only the feelings of love, joy and sorrow are

expressed through it but feelings of national pride are expressed through it as well. National
anthems of different countries have music in their symphonies. Apart from national anthem,
different nations have songs for boosting the national morale as well. Some countries have
national anthems which dont have the words but have music in their symphonies. This is
enough to illustrate the importance of the music that without poetic expressions, a national
anthem can exist but without music, it cant.
At this point, we must discuss that to which extent music can be beneficial for the
human beings. The researches have proved that music not produce psychological effects i.e.
affects our mood but it affects our mental and physical health as well. For example, music has
been found to affect the respiratory rate, pulse rate and temperature etc. Music has been found
to affect the learning process in the children, in a positive sense. It has been found benificial for
the cure of heart diseases etc. It has been found useful for curing several other diseases as well.
Autism
Cure of diseases by music has taken the form of a therapy these days. Among the
diseases cured by music, some are given more attention from the perspective of the research,
than others. One such disease is autism. Autism is quite common in the children these days.
Research is being focused at the cure of autism by the use of music before going into the details
of that therapy, we need to know that what is autism.
Autism is a complex developmental disability. Experts are of the view that autism is presented
during the first three years of life of a person. Autism is a result of neurological condition which
affects the normal functioning of the brain as a result of which the person has problems
regarding the development of communication and social interaction skills. People with autism

have problems with non-verbal communication in particular as well as having a wide range of
social interaction.1
Autism is recognized as a wide spectrum disorder which means that it is highly unlikely for two
people with autism to exhibit exactly the same symptoms. Among the key symptoms are the
difficulties faced by the patient in social interactions. A person suffering from autism finds it
difficult to socialize easily. He may seem clumsy in social gatherings and his comments may
appear to be offensive. It has been observed that the people suffering from autism find it
difficult to make eye contact during conversation or social gathering. However, with the passage
of time, the health care professionals and teachers etc. have learnt to tackle autism in a better
way and the number of patients feeling problem to make eye contact, is decreasing.2
The patients of autism find it difficult to understand jokes and sarcastic stuff. They might have
problems in understanding common phrases of daily use as well. For example, if someone says
about something its cool. They may think that the temperature of that thing is concerned
there. People suffering from autism find it difficult to understand and empathize with the
thoughts and sentiments of other people. They cant predict what is going to happen next.
People suffering from autism cant assess the danger sometimes. For example, while walking or
running on a busy road, exposes them to high threat. Such people find it difficult to adopt the
changes and to change themselves accordingly. It is hard for them to plan for the future as well.4
_______________________________
1

What
is
autism?
What
causes
<http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/autism/>
2

autism?

Retrieved

on

16

August

2014.

What is autism? Retrieved on 16 August 2014. <http://www.autism.org.uk/about-autism/autism-and-aspergersyndrome-an-introduction/what-is-autism.aspx>

3

what is autism?

Patients of autism may express resistance to being held or touched. Sometimes the
patient tends to get too close to the addressee. Patients of autism may have difficulties in
maintaining friendships. They may find it easier to socialize with the people either younger or
older than them. People suffering from autism love to talk about one or two topics frequently.4
Patients of autism have difficulties in using linguistic abilities as well. Sometimes they
use the pitch or intonation abnormally , while speaking. Sometimes their speech is abnormally
loud or quiet. They may have difficulties relating to the directions i.e. front, back, rear etc. They
repeat last words of a sentence or a phrase several times. They may use short or incomplete
sentences to communicate. Interestingly, people suffering from autism may have a high
vocabulary and may exhibit the use of it as well.5
Children with autism may exhibit different sensory sensitivities as well. For example,
they may like to touch or feel certain textures or surfaces. They may like to rub their arms or
legs against different things. Children suffering from autism may be fussy about their food as
well. They may like to eat foods of certain colors. Such children may have a poor sense of
balance and movement as well.6
Such children need special care because they often show interest in few objects or activities and
love to play with those objects or repeat those activities excessively. They become used to
routine affairs and find it difficult to act different than that routine.7
________________________________
4

Characteristics
of
autism.
Rocky
point
<http://www.calgaryautism.com/characteristics.htm>
5

academy.

Retrieved

on

16

August

2014.

Characteristics of autism.

Sensory sensitivities and autism spectrum disorder. Raising Children network. Retrieved on 16 August 2014.
<http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/autism_spectrum_disorder_sensory_sensitivities.html>
7

F Brown, S Gerber and C M Oliva. Characteristics of children with autism. Retrieved on 16 August 2014.
<http://www.pbs.org/parents/inclusivecommunities/autism2.html>

Since autism is a spectrum disorder, meaning that its symptoms vary across a spectrum.
Therefore, each adult and children suffering from autism is different from the other and in a
sense represents a unique case as well. This implies that the treatment of autism must be
different for different patients, although the pattern may be the same depending upon the
similarities in the cases. Intervention with autism may include medicine, behavioral treatment or
both. Sometimes, the person suffering from Autism has gastrointestinal problems, stress and
anxiety etc. as well. In such cases, focusing on the treatment of these medical problems may
improve attention, learning and related behaviors.
Music therapy as the cure of autism
One of the modern approaches to treat autism is to take the benefit of the music therapy. Music
therapy isnt related to any peculiar disease i.e. it can be used for the cure of many diseases.
Music therapy has been used to assist cognitive, emotional and behavioral development in the
past. Music therapy has been found effective of use for stress management, enhancement of
memory and the improvement in communication.9
Music therapy can also induce the sentiments of self-reliance and self-determination in the
patients of autism. Music is termed and recognized as engaging and motivating by many people.
For this reason, music may be used as a reinforcer for desired responses from autistic patients.

_________________________________
8
9

How is autism treated. Retrieved on 16 August 2014. <http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/treatment>

M D Vivo. Music Therapy may help children with autism. Autism science foundation. Retrieved on 16 August 2014. <
http://autismsciencefoundation.wordpress.com/2013/08/30/music-therapy-may-help-children-with-autism/>

How does music therapy works for autistic patients

Music therapy affects the behavior by offering a variety of music to the autistic patients. The
literature review shows that the most autistic patients respond to the music in a positive
manner. People with Autism Spectrum Disorder often show keen interest and vibrant response
to music, which makes music therapy an excellent therapeutic tool. Music therapists have the
expertise to meet their clients (autistic patients in this case) on their own mental levels and to
let their mental abilities grow from that point. The structure of the music and the sensory input
inherent in music helps it to establish response, organization and positive interactions as well as
to let the autistic patients determine their roles and responsibilities.10
Who is a music therapist ?
There are different organizations for any trade of life which certify individuals and institutions
providing services in the concerned fields of life. For example, there are associations for doctors,
nurses and legal experts across the world. Similarly, there exist associations for music therapists
all across the world. The most renowned of them is the American Music Therapy Association.
This association has approved some 70 or more colleges and universities to offer bachelors
degree in music therapy. This association considers those music therapists as genuinely
qualified, who have a degree from either of these 70 institutes. It wont be pointless to mention
here that it doesnt require academic work only to earn the degree of a music therapist, but at
least 1200 hours of clinical training as well.11
_______________________________
10

Music therapy as a treatment modality for autism spectrum disorder. American Music therapy association.
Retrieved on 16 August 2014. < http://www.musictherapy.org/assets/1/7/MT_Autism_2012.pdf>
11

Music therapy as a treatment modality for autism spectrum disorder

Is autisms treatment through music therapy supported by research?

Although we have discussed briefly about how does the music therapy affect the autistic
patients, there rises a question that is all this stuff about autism and its cure supported by
research or credible scientific evidence or not? The answer to this question is yes. Yes, the cure
of autism through music therapy is supported by the research as well as medical science
evidence. American Music Therapy Association in particular has published the results of such
research works and has promoted the use of music therapy as a cure for autism. As a result of
music therapy, the following statements support the use of music therapy as a treatment of
autism.
Music therapy can incite the individuals to reduce the negativity within themselves as well as
self-stimulatory responses. Music may urge the listeners to participate more appropriately and
to increase the quantum of social interaction as well.12
In one research about the autism and the effects of music therapy on it, the outcomes of the
research indicated that the areas affected positively by music therapy in the autistic patients
were related to communication, cognitive, behavioral and musical to motor. In that particular
research, the goal achievement i.e. the achievement of the required positive changes within the
afore-mentioned fields was found to have attained within a year of treatment. Parents and care
givers who were the part of this research confirmed the difference between the autistic patients
who were given music therapy and those who werent going through music therapy.13
________________________________
12

S Spring. Autism Spectrum disorders: Music therapy research and evidence-based practice support. American music
therapy association. (2008).
13

R S Kaplan & A L Steele. An analysis of music therapy program goals and outcomes for clients with diagnoses on the
autism spectrum. Journal of music therapy. Vol. 42 no.1. pp. 2-19.

Research has also proven that along with other types of therapies such as physical therapies,
active music therapy sessions also benefit the patient. Such Sessions not only improve the
autistic symptoms but improve and sharpen the musical skills in the young people suffering
from autism.14
In above lines, we have discussed the effects of music therapy on autistic children only. Let us
now discuss one more aspect of autism and music therapy. In one research, not only the music
therapy was found out to produce a positive effect on the communication skills of autistic
patients, but it was found that the scores of the children decreased when they were barred from
the music therapy treatment.15
Music therapy has been found to be effective in early intervention cases of autism as well.
Autistic children who were given music therapy in pre-school days showed high on-task
behaviors during therapy sessions. Such children showed a high success rate in language
development and the learning of social skills, motor skills (i.e. skills related to movement),
cognitive concepts and the knowledge of music.16
Research has affirmed that use of music as the part of curriculum as early intervention has been
found useful to enhance literacy related skills. Musical cueing is effective for improving word
recognition, concepts related with print, logo identification and prewriting skills in children, in
case of early interventions.
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14

M Boso et al. Effect of long term interactive music therapy on beahvior profile and musical skills in young adults
with severe autism. Journal of alternative and complimentary medicine. Vol.13 no. 7. pp. 709-712
15

C Edgerton. The effect of improvisational music therapy on the communicative behaviors of autistic children.
Journal of music therapy. Vol.21 no.1 pp. 31-62
16

J M Standley & J E Hughes. Documenting developmentally appropriate objectives and benifits of a music therapy
program for early intervention: A behavioral analysis. Music therapy perspectives. Vol.14 no.2. pp. 87-94

When shared reading is paired with the rehearsal of text in the form of songs, the combination
facilitates greater text accuracy than in the case of spoken rehearsal with the students of
kindergarten.17
Music has been found effective to increase the vocabulary of the children getting special
education. Music activities have been found useful to enhance the verbal skills of such children.
Presentation of new vocabulary words in the musical form assists such children to learn them
more easily. Music has been found useful as a prompt and a reinforcer as well, to increase the
verbal response in those children of pre-school age, who have limited verbal communication.18
Researches have supported the idea that the use of music may help to properly structure and
organize the information in order to increase learning skills and to assist the retention of newly
learnt concepts. Sequential verbal information such as telephone or mobile numbers, driving
license number, passport number, multiplication tables etc. are better memorized and easily
recalled when they are learnt through melodic patterns.
Social interactive skills in children of 5 years of age, are increased through musical activities on
long-term basis. In one research, songs assisted children suffering from ASD, in entering the
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17

D Register. The effects of an early intervention music curriculum on pre-reding/writing. Journal of music therapy.
(2001). Vol.38 no.3 pp. 239-248
17

J Standley & J Hughes. Evaluation of an early intervention music curriculum for ehancing pre-reading/writing skills.
Music therapy perspectives. pp. 15,79-86.
17

C M Colwell. Therapeutic applications of music in the whole language kindergarten. Journal of music therapy.
(1994). Vol.31. no.4 pp. 238-247
18

M Braithwhite & J Sigafoos. Effects of social versus musical antecedents on communication responsiveness in five
children with developmental disabilities. Journal of music therapy. (1998). Vol. 35 no.2 pp.88-104.
18

E M Buday. The effects of signed and spoken words taught with music on sign and speech imtation by children with
autism. Journal of music therapy. (1995). Vol.32 no.3 pp.189-202

class room, greeting with their teachers and peers as well as in engaging in play.19
In another study, the participants were distributed into two age groups; 2 to 10 and 11 to 22.
Both groups were treated via music therapy. Two different hour-long sessions of music therapy
were alternatively held for these participants over a period of 10 months. After the completion
of the study, when the results were compiled it was found that half or slightly more than half
participants from each age group showed improvement in aggression towards other children,
restlessness and noisiness etc. The improvement was of one or two points on a scale. Some of
the participant children showed no changes or sign of changes whereas a couple of children
regressed. However, the overall impact of the study was that music improves the health
condition of the children suffering from autism and it has positive effects on inattentive
behavior in particular.20
Conclusion
Music has been one of the oldest means of expression as well as communication. It has
been recognized as an art as well. The miracles of the music have been subjugated since long.
However, only recently the medical science have managed to affirm the miraculous healing
powers of the music through extensive research. Music is not only beneficial for the mental and
physical health in general but it is of great use for curing certain diseases as well.

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19

L Ulfarsdottir & P Erwin. The influence of music on social cognitive skills. The arts in psychotherapy. (1999). Vol.26
no. 2 pp. 81-84.
20

Music therapy improves behavior in children with autism, study suggests. Retrieved on 16 August 2014. <
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130219140100.htm>

Music therapy has been recognized as a regular therapy and a treatment. It has been found of
great use for the cure of autism spectrum disorder. Music helps the autistic patients through its
ability to enhance neural network and mental abilities. Music improves the memory of autistic
children as well as other skills related to learning and literacy such as vocabulary and
mnemonics etc.